SW Businesses Scoop Seven National Excellence Awards

There were celebrations all round at the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence Awards 2009, as seven South West tourism businesses were presented with 4 GOLD and 2 SILVER awards and winner of the Travelmail Award for Best Day Out; making South West England the overall national winning region.

The Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2009 are now in their 20th year, they promote healthy industry competition and high standards, helping to ensure England's place as a world-class destination.

All Gold winners from the South West Tourism Excellence Awards, held last November, were automatically entered into the National awards to be ranked against winners from across the rest of England. Judging has been taking place throughout the autumn and winter, and the national ceremony was held at the National Railway Museum in York, on 23 April 2009.

Malcolm Bell, Director of South West Tourism, said:

"This is a triumph for the region and we are extremely proud that these South West businesses have been awarded on the national stage. To be in the current economic climate and for the region to have four Gold and two Silver awards plus the Travelmail best day out award is outstanding. This is a great boost for the South West and we are very proud to be the overall winning region at the awards.

All of these businesses have shown they offer a first class tourism product in all areas of their business and they are now going to benefit from the national recognition, which they deserve. "

Chris Loughlin, Chief Executive of South West Water and sponsor of the regional South West Tourism Excellence Awards said:

"Congratulations to all our winners for proving again the excellence of the South West tourism sector on a national stage. We look forward to even more entries for this year's regional awards which we are proud to sponsor."  

SOUTH WEST WINNERS OF THE NATIONAL ENJOY ENGLAND AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2009

WINNER OF THE TRAVELMAIL AWARD FOR THE BEST DAY OUT

The Minack Theatre, Cornwall
www.minack.com 
Tel: 01736 810181

GOLD

CARAVAN HOLIDAY PARK
Hidden Valley Park, West Down, Nr Ilfracombe, Devon
www.hiddenvalleypark.com 
Tel: 01271 813837 

GOLD

HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Gidleigh Park Hotel, Chagford, Devon
www.gidleigh.com 
Tel: 01647 432 367

GOLD

OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE
Robert (Bob) Evans, of the ss Great Britain, Bristol
www.ssgreatbritain.org 
Tel: 0117 926 0680

GOLD

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
The Venus Company, Devon & Cornwall
www.venuscompany.co.uk 
Tel: 01803 712648

SILVER

TASTE OF ENGLAND AWARD
The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, Marlborough, Wiltshire
www.theharrowatlittlebedwyn.co.uk 
Tel: 01672 870 871

SILVER

TOURISM WEBSITE OF THE YEAR
Compton Pool Farm, Compton, Paignton
www.comptonpool.co.uk 
Tel: 01803 872 241

Tourism businesses can register their interest in the regional awards by visiting the Excellence Awards section of this website. Click here.

The regional awards will be opening for entries in May 2009.

For media information please contact:
Liz Dale in the South West Tourism press office:
Tel: 01392 353 218
email: pressoffice@swtourism.org.uk

For images of the ‘Gold' and ‘Silver' winners, please click here.

The Enjoy England Awards for Excellence celebrate the best of English tourism.  They promote healthy industry competition and high standards, helping to ensure England's place as a world-class destination.

Date added: Friday 24th April 2009
Latest updated: Thursday 2nd May 2013